N75 vs Rainy 75: Best Budget Keyboard Under $100?
The Budget Keyboard Showdown You've Been Waiting For
If you're torn between the N75 and Rainy 75 keyboards, you're not alone. After testing over 60 keyboards this year, I've seen firsthand how these $100 giants dominate the budget mechanical keyboard space. Both promise premium features without the premium price, but which one actually deserves your cash? Let's crack open these aluminum contenders.
Build Quality and First Impressions
The N75 arrives fully built with dopamine blue linear switches (53g actuation) and double-shot PBT keycaps. Its aluminum case feels substantial though lighter than the Rainy 75 by 300g. The standout feature? A magnetic "screwless quick assembly" system letting you disassemble the entire board in under 30 seconds – revolutionary for modding enthusiasts.
The Rainy 75 counters with a more premium heft and flush keycap profile that many find visually sleeker. Its pastel color options outshine the N75's metallic finishes, and it includes multiple switch choices – a flexibility the N75 lacks. Both use hot-swappable PCBs, but the Rainy 75's VIA software support trumps the N75's clunky proprietary software.
Sound Performance and Customization Tests
Stock sound profiles reveal critical differences:
- Rainy 75 delivers a deeper, poppier sound signature
- N75 suffers from stabilizer rattle and case ping
- Both benefit from included foam, but N75 becomes harsh when removed
Mounting flexibility gives the N75 an edge:
- Three configurations: split o-ring, silica gel gaskets, or top-mount
- Top-mount mode adds solidity and improves acoustic fullness
- Rainy 75's gasket mount feels more consistent out-of-box
During testing, removing the N75's foam revealed adhesive issues – the material stuck stubbornly to the PCB. The Rainy 75's foamless configuration sounded surprisingly good, while the N75 developed noticeable ping without dampening.
Dealbreaker Features Compared
| Feature | N75 | Rainy 75 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | ✅ Customizable (but dim RGB) | ❌ None |
| Wireless Toggle | ❌ Under right shift keycap | ❌ Requires cap removal |
| Software | ❌ Clunky proprietary | ✅ VIA compatible |
| Stabilizers | ❌ Rattly (needs modding) | ✅ Well-tuned factory lube |
| Current Price | $100 (in-stock) | $89-$140 (color-dependent) |
The N75's screen seems impressive until you use its unintuitive software. Meanwhile, the Rainy 75's VIA support enables effortless key remapping – a serious advantage for power users.
Which Keyboard Should You Buy?
Choose the Rainy 75 if:
- You prioritize out-of-box typing sound
- Software customization matters
- Heavier build quality appeals to you
- Pastel aesthetics align with your setup
Choose the N75 if:
- You enjoy modding and tinkering
- Quick disassembly is valuable
- Screen customization intrigues you
- Lighter weight benefits your usage
Both boards prove that $100 keyboards can punch above their weight. The Rainy 75 wins for pure typing satisfaction, while the N75 offers unmatched tinkering potential. As Keyboard Magazine noted in 2023, "The true victor in budget keyboards is the consumer – competition drives unprecedented value."
Your Budget Keyboard Checklist
- Test sound preferences – Try both boards' stock sound tests
- Evaluate software needs – VIA vs proprietary could decide your choice
- Consider color availability – Rainy's pastels vs N75's metallics
- Check restock dates – Avoid Kickstarter delays if possible
- Plan mods – Factor in stabilizer lube or foam replacements
Advanced Resources:
- VIA Configurator (rainy75.com) – Essential for Rainy 75 rebinding
- Switch Puller Set – Required for N75's hidden power switch access
- Krytox G205 – Fix both boards' stabilizer rattle
Final Verdict
The Rainy 75 edges ahead for most users with its superior sound and software, but the N75's modular design makes it a modder's playground. When you test these boards, which feature will tip your decision – the N75's screen or the Rainy 75's VIA support? Share your dealbreaker below!
